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26
Van Dwellings.
There are four sites in the Borough on which van dwellings have
regularly been placed for many years. The number of vans on the
sites varies from time to time. All the sites are subject to regular
inspection and are in general reasonably well kept.
Dangerous Structures.
74 cases in which structures or parts thereof had been noted,
in the course of inspections for various purposes, as appearing to be
unsafe, were referred to the District Surveyor of the London County
Council for his attention.
Prevention of Damage by Pests Act, 1949.
This Act, which came into operation on the 31st March, 1950,
repealed, and re-enacted, with many alterations and additions, the Rats
and Mice (Destruction) Act, 1919. It gives power generally to the
Council to require steps to be taken to eradicate infestations of rats
and mice, and to prevent infestations. These duties are carried out by
the Rodent Officer, assisted by three Rodent Operatives.
All infestations coming to light, whether by way of complaint or
otherwise, are systematically investigated, and the appropriate action
taken. Where the cause of the trouble is obviously defective drains
or other defects in the building, the owner is called upon to effect the
necessary repairs. This aspect of the work involves close co-operation
between the Rodent Control Staff and the Sanitary Inspectors. In other
cases, the occupier is called on to set traps, lay baits or take other
action as the circumstances may require. The setting of traps and
laying of baits is, on request, carried out by the Rodent Control Staff,
charges being made for this service. These charges are usually nominal
except in the case of business premises, where the cost is charged in full.
The sewers under the control of the Council are treated twice yearly,
in accordance with the suggestion of the Ministry of Agriculture and
Fisheries (Infestation Control Division). Their recommended method
of treatment, namely, the laying of prebait (unpoisoned) on two days,
followed on the third day by poisoned bait, is followed.
The Ministry make a grant of 50 per cent. towards the cost of
the service, in so far as this is not recovered from the owners or occupiers
of premises.

The total number of visits made to the above premises, and to
others which were found not to be infested, was 6,776.